After an unprecedented surprise attack in Israel that has left hundreds dead and more wounded, Alabama leaders spoke in support of Israel.

Hamas militants launched thousands of rockets into Israel and carried out an infiltration into the south of the country. The attack took place early Saturday morning during a Jewish holiday, Simchat Torah, in which Jewish people celebrate completing the year-long cycle of reading the Torah scroll.

The Israeli rescue service Zaka said at least 200 people were killed and 1,100 wounded, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in decades, according to the Associated Press.

Alabama’s politicians largely stand with Israel in the conflict. In 2021, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a resolution for the state to stand with Israel and condemn Hamas amid war.

Ivey posted her support for Israel on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Saturday.

“The heinous terrorist attacks on Israel — a great ally of our country — must be stopped. Israel is a special and sacred place — a place that has personally impacted my own faith,” Ivey said. “We must pray for the people of Israel.”

Other Alabama politicians joined her in showing support for Israel.

“Israel has every right to defend itself and respond to these vicious terrorist attacks with overwhelming force,” U.S. Sen. Katie Britt said in a release Saturday. “What the world is watching today is both tragic and foreseeable. Strength deters war, while weakness invites it.”

This summer, Britt joined 17 colleagues in signing a resolution to reaffirm American support for Israel. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives 412-9-1.

“In a region full of dangerous adversaries, Israel is a shining beacon of freedom,” Britt said. “As Alabamians, we’re incredibly proud of the fact that our state was the first to recognize Israel as a nation more than 75 years ago.”

Britt used the opportunity to condemn President Joe Biden for his recent U.S.-Iran prisoner swap deal.

“Make no mistake — the people of Israel are paying the devastating price for President Biden’s $6 billion ransom payment to Iran,” Britt said. “That disastrous deal was announced by the Administration on the anniversary of 9/11, and now Israel is facing its own 9/11 at the hands of Iranian proxies.”

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville shared Britt’s sentiments about Biden in the wake of the attacks.

“Last month, Joe Biden gave $6 billion to Iran. Now, Iran is waging war on one of our closest allies and murdering innocent people,” Tuberville posted on X. “Joe Biden needs to explain to the American people why he is handing over billions of dollars to supporters of terrorists.”

U.S. Rep. Terri A. Sewell, who represents Alabama’s 7th district, said she “condemn(s) in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack being perpetrated by Hamas on the people of Israel.”

“There is no excuse or justification for such despicable violence,” she said.

Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter echoed the words of other political leaders of the state.

“Alabamians continue to stand tall with our nation’s strongest and most loyal Middle Eastern ally,” he said in a release Saturday. “Our prayers of support go out to the Israeli military forces, the nation’s leaders, and all of those who lost family, friends, and neighbors to the senseless Palestinian violence.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.